Why is Ahmadinejad so popular in Iran?

[NNN0LHI]

http://ncronline.org/NCR_Online/archives2/2006c/092206/092206z.htm

U.S. and Iran: a tangled history

<snip>Such questions, however, cannot be raised apart from the consequences that flowed from U.S. involvement in Iran’s internal affairs beginning in the mid-1950s. Mohammad Mossadegh came to power in Iran in 1951. He was a European-educated aristocrat who, according to author Steven Kinzer in his recent book, Overthrow, “believed passionately in two causes: nationalism and democracy.”

The nationalism part got him in trouble. The British had dominated Iran for decades and profited from oil deals that were highly exploitive of the Iranian resource. It is estimated the British company that controlled the oil business in Iran had earned more profit in a single year, 1950, than Iran had received in royalties the previous half century.

Mossadegh, who won the TIME Man of the Year award in 1952 and was described by the magazine as “the Iranian George Washington,” wanted Iranians to control Iranian oil.

The British, appalled that an upstart nation would entertain such a notion, tried a coup but were found out and kicked out of the country. Desperate to get back at Mossadegh, the British persuaded the United States to engineer the task by pushing a foolproof button -- they told newly appointed Secretary of State John Foster Dulles that Mossadegh was heading toward communism. That sealed the deal.

Dulles enlisted the newly created CIA to perform the deed and, against all assessments from U.S. intelligence in the field and the overwhelming evidence that Mossadegh was competent, revered by his people, progressive and in love with democracy, he was overthrown and replaced by an initially reluctant Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the shah of Iran, who had no great love of democracy. He did not tolerate dissent and he repressed, often brutally, all forms of opposition and expression. Those who disagreed with the government found safety in mosques, where religious leaders continued to oppose the government, and when the revolution finally came, they were its leaders. In effect, then, the United States and Britain seeded the backlash that manifested itself in November 1979 with the taking of U.S. hostages, and that continues to roil Iranian politics to this day.

[The Deacon]

1. They Don't Get Showtime?

Sorry - couldn't resist.

[CatholicEdHead]

2. Defensive nationalism which we encourage

by our over the top rhetoric.

[marano35]

3. Because he opposes

the U.S. and rightfully so.

[Warren DeMontague]

4. More shit stirred up by the Dulles gang. Surprise.

Everyone should know the backstory on that place, particularly when they talk about us "bringing democracy to the middle east" (after we removed it some 50-odd years ago!)

As for the current popularity of Mr. Ahmadinejad; When the population feels threatened, they give lots of power to crazy fanatics. Remind you of anyone?

[Selatius]

5. Because Bush is driving the Iranians into Ahmedinejad's arms.

When you threaten them with war, what's that going to do? Make Iranians not "rally around the flag"?

[Mendocino]

10. You got that right.

Sometimes it isn't who you are, it's who you aren't. And he isn't bush.

[sufrommich]

6. Because it's too risky not to?

http://web.amnesty.org/library/eng-irn/index

The more things change..the more they stay the same.

[Joanne98]

7. The Iranians seem to think they should have nuclear power! GOSH!

We spend all all time here trying to stop it. But Iran can't have it. I have news. The genie is out of the bottle! The worst thing that would happen if Iran got "da bomb" is it would stabilize the ME! Israel 400 vs Iran One! So fucking what. I can't believe people are so stupid they can't see that all this shit is just "bidness" as usual. Bush is probably pissed that Russia and China are getting the contracts. Grow the fuck up! It's all about money!

[flyarm]

8. what does anyone here support the liar pissy pants??

that is a more important question..why does one person in this country support the murderer in our white house??

fly

[Opusnone]

9. He's not

What leads you to believe that he is?

[enigma000]

11. He's not

His promised economic reforms haven't worked. Iran is now seen as the backer of the terrorist group Hezbollah. Most Iranians were born after the revolution and are favorable disposed towards Americans. I think a post-Mullah government would have good relations with the Western world.

[qwertyMike]

12. OP

That's why

[Odin2005]

13. Nationalism.

If the Iranians I know are any indicator, they are EXTREMELY nationalistic.

[razors edge]

14. asking the wrong people.

we can only guess.